By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday urged the public to report to them individuals or groups who are making illegal offers, particularly on election matters.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez made the appeal following the arrest of an individual allegedly asking money from political aspirants with promises of being able to compromise the automated election system (AES) to be used in the 2019 mid-term elections.
“We are glad that criminals like these are being exposed and are being apprehended, and we are not ruling out the possibility of, in the proper cases, pursuing such legal remedies as are available to the Comelec, to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral system,” he said in a statement.
“We encourage everyone to stay vigilant and report to the Comelec anyone making such useless and illegal offers,” Jimenez added.
On the other hand, he assured candidates that the “AES is fair and secure and will count the votes correctly. The will of the people shall prevail”.
The poll body official explained that the AES used in the last three polls and will be utilized in next year’s elections, has proven to be successful.
“The AES, implemented by the Comelec in 2010, 2013, 2016 and again in the coming 2019 National and Local Elections, has proven to be effective in ensuring the integrity of election results,” he said.
“So far, it has been very accurate in counting the votes, and there remains no evidence of anyone being able to use any component of the AES — from the precinct-based Vote Counting Machines to the Consolidated Canvassing System — to cheat in favor of any candidate or group of candidates,” Jimenez added.
